Methods for stimulation of cranial nerves

ABSTRACT

Neuromodulation of cranial nerves can be used to treat sleep or breathing disorders, among other diseases and disorders. A neuromodulation system can include a housing configured for implantation in an anterior cervical region of a patient, such as at or under a mandible of the patient, such as at least partially in one or more of a submental triangle, a submandibular triangle, and a carotid triangle. The system can include an electrode lead coupled to the housing, and the electrode lead can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a cranial nerve target in the patient. The system can be configured to generate electrical neuromodulation signals for delivery to the cranial nerve target using the electrode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2021/012723, filed Jan. 8, 2021, and published as WO2021/142278 on Jul. 15, 2021, which claims the benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/959,617, filed on Jan. 10,2020, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Neural function can impact various disorders such as includingcardiovascular disorders, movement disorders and tremors, epilepsy,depression, respiratory disorders (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease (COPD), pleural effusion), sleep disorders (e.g., obstructivesleep apnea (OSA)), obesity, xerostomia, and facial pain disorders.These disorders impact millions of patients and impact their quality oflife and longevity. Obstructive sleep apnea, for example, is a commonsleep disorder. Individuals suffering from OSA. experience interruptedbreathing patterns during sleep. Chronic, severe sleep apnea can requiretreatment to prevent sleep deprivation and other sleep-relatedcomplications. Obstructive sleep apnea is prevalent in patients withcardiovascular disease, is a cause of hypertension, and is associatedwith increased incidence of stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation,and coronary heart disease. Severe OSA is associated with an increase inall-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

In an example, external or implanted muscle stimulation devices orneurostimulation devices can be provided to excite tissue structures inor near an airway, such as to help treat sleep apnea or to counterapneic and hypopneic events.

In an example, neurostimulation can be used to treat a variety ofdisorders other than OSA. For example, neurostimulation can be used totreat epilepsy, depression, heart failure, obesity, pain, migraineheadaches, COPD, or other disorders.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Neuromodulation of cranial nerves can be used to treat various diseasesand disorders, including sleep disorders or breathing disorders. Aneuromodulation system can include a housing configured for implantationin an anterior cervical region of a patient, such as at or under amandible of the patient, such as at least partially in one or more of asubmental triangle, a submandibular triangle, and a carotid triangle.The system can include an electrode lead coupled to the housing, and theelectrode lead can include an electrode configured to be disposed at ornear a cranial nerve target in the patient. The system can be configuredto generate electrical neuromodulation signals for delivery to thecranial nerve target using the electrode. In an example, the cranialnerve target can include one or more of a hypoglossal nerve, aglossopharyngeal nerve, a trigeminal nerve, a facial nerve, or a vagusnerve, among others.

Implantable systems for delivery or titration of neuromodulation therapycan optionally include multiple housings, such as can be implanted indifferent portions of an anterior cervical region of a patient. Forexample, a first housing including electrostimulation circuitry can beimplanted in a submental triangle, a submandibular triangle, or acarotid triangle of the anterior cervical region. A second housing, suchas including a battery or other circuitry, can be implanted in adifferent one of the submental triangle, the submandibular triangle, orthe carotid triangle. Implanting different portions of a system indifferent cervical locations can situate circuitry proximate variousneural targets, and can help maintain patient comfort, among otherbenefits.

This summary is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of thepresent patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusiveor exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description isincluded to provide further information about the present patentapplication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 illustrates generally a first anatomic example of front view ofan anterior cervical region of a human.

FIG. 2 illustrates generally a second anatomic example that includes aportion of an anterior cervical triangle.

FIG. 3 illustrates generally a third anatomic example that includes apartial side view of an anterior cervical triangle.

FIG. 4 illustrates generally a fourth anatomic example that includes apartial side view of an anterior cervical triangle.

FIG. 5 illustrates generally an example of a system hat can beconfigured to provide a neuromodulation therapy.

FIG. 6 illustrates generally a first implantable device implanted in asubmandibular triangle of a patient.

FIG. 7 illustrates generally a second implantable device implanted in asubmandibular triangle of a patient.

FIG. 8 illustrates generally an example that includes a submentalimplantable device implanted in a submental triangle of a patient.

FIG. 9 illustrates generally an example of a third implantable deviceimplanted in a carotid triangle of a patient.

FIG. 10 illustrates generally an example of a first segmentedimplantable device.

FIG. 11 illustrates generally an example of a submandibular implantabledevice.

FIG. 12 illustrates generally an example of a device implanted in asubmandibular triangle region of a patient.

FIG. 13 illustrates generally an example of a device implanted in asubmandibular triangle region of a patient.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method for treating a patient disorder using aneuromodulation system.

FIG. 15 illustrates generally an example of an implantable device thatcomprises a tapered housing.

FIG. 16 illustrates generally an example of an implantable device thatcomprises a capsule housing.

FIG. 17 illustrates generally an example of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions may be executed forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems, devices, and methods discussed herein can be configured forelectrical stimulation of cranial nerves. Examples discussed herein caninclude methods for implanting a neuromodulation system or methods forusing an implanted system to deliver neuromodulation therapy to one ormore target cranial nerves, or to sense physiologic information about apatient, such as to monitor a disease state or control a neuromodulationtherapy or other therapy. In an example, system or device featuresdiscussed herein can facilitate implantation of devices, leads, sensors,electrostimulation hardware, or other therapeutic means on or nearcranial nerve tissue. In an example, the present subject matter includessystems and methods for implanting a neuromodulation device near orbelow an inferior border of a mandible (i.e., the body or ramus of themandible or jaw bone) in an anterior triangle of the neck (e.g., locatedin the medial aspect), or in a posterior triangle of the neck (e.g.,located in the lateral aspect), or in multiple regions of the neck.

The present inventors have recognized that a problem to be solved caninclude providing a minimally invasive neuromodulation therapy ortreatment system that can provide signals to neural targets in or near acervical region of a patient. The problem can include treating, amongother things, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), heart failure,hypertension, epilepsy, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), craniofacialpain syndrome, facial palsy, migraine headaches, xerostomia, atrialfibrillation, stroke, autism, inflammatory bowel disease, chronicinflammation, chronic pain, tinnitus, rheumatoid arthritis, orfibromyalgia. The problem can include providing an implantable systemthat is resistant to migration or dislocation when the system isinstalled in a motion-prone body region such as in a neck or cervicalregion of a patient. The problem can further include stimulatingmultiple different cranial nerve targets concurrently or in acoordinated manner to provide an effective therapy.

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that asolution to the above-described problems can include a neuromodulationsystem that can be implanted in an anterior cervical region of apatient, such as at or under a mandible of the patient. In an example,the system can include a housing that can be coupled to tissue in ornear an anterior triangle, such as to digastric muscle or tendon tissue,to mylohyoid muscle tissue, to a hyoid bone, or to a mandible, amongother locations. The present inventors have recognized that the solutioncan include a device configured for wireless communication with anexternal power source or programmer, for example, with a communicationdevice implanted at or near the housing in the anterior cervical regionof the patient. The present inventors have recognized that the solutioncan include an implantable device with multiple electrode leads, such ascan extend from a housing in multiple different directions, to interfacewith multiple different cranial nerves. The present inventors haverecognized that the solution can further include or use physiologicinformation, such as can be sensed from a patient using implanted orexternal sensors or patient inputs, to update one or morecharacteristics of a therapy provided to the patient by theneuromodulation system.

The present inventors have recognized that the neuromodulation systemsand methods discussed herein can be used to treat OSA, among otherdisorders or diseases. In an example, an OSA treatment can use aneuromodulation device that is implanted in one or more of a submentaltriangle and a submandibular triangle, and an electrode lead withelectrodes that are configured to be disposed at or near one or moretargets on a hypoglossal nerve, vagus nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, ortrigeminal nerve (e.g., at a mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve).In an example, the solution can include using multiple electrodes orelectrode leads to deliver a coordinated, bilateral stimulation therapyto cranial nerve targets, such as to anterior and posterior branches ofthe hypoglossal nerve. The therapy can be configured to selectivelystimulate or block a neural pathway that influences activity of one ormore of tongue muscles, mylohyoid muscles, stylohyoid muscles, digastricmuscles, or stylopharyngeus muscles of a patient, to thereby treat OSA.

The description that follows describes systems, methods, techniques,instruction sequences, and computing machine program products thatillustrate example embodiments of the present subject matter. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificexamples and aspects are set forth in order to provide an understandingof various embodiments of the present subject matter. It will beevident, however, to those skilled in the art, that embodiments of thepresent subject matter may be practiced in various combinations. Unlessexplicitly stated otherwise, structures (e.g., structural components,such as modules or functional blocks) are optional and may be combinedor subdivided, and operations (e.g., in a procedure, algorithm,treatment, therapy, or other function) can vary in sequence or can becombined or divided.

In an example, the implantable neuromodulation systems and devicesdiscussed herein can comprise a control system, signal or pulsegenerator, or other therapy signal generator, such as can be disposed inone or more housings that can be communicatively coupled to share powerand/or data. The housings can comprise one or more hermetic enclosuresto protect the circuitry or other components therein. In an example, ahousing can include one or more headers, such as can comprise a rigid orflexible interface for connecting the housing, or circuitry orcomponents inside of the housing, with leads or other devices orcomponents outside of the housing. In an example, a header can be usedto couple signal generator circuitry inside the housing with electrodesor sensors outside of the housing. In an example, the header can be usedto couple circuitry inside the housing with a telemetry antenna,wireless power communication devices (e.g., coils configured fornear-field communications or NFC), or other devices, such as can bedisposed on or comprise flexible substrates or flexible circuits. Thissystem configuration allows the housing(s), lead(s), and flexiblecircuits to be implanted in different anatomic locations, such as in aneck or cervical region of a patient. In an example, the various systemcomponents can be implanted in one or more of the anatomic triangularregions or spaces in the cervical region, and leads or other devicesexternal to a circuitry housing can be tunneled to other locations,including at various cranial nerve targets. Accordingly, varioustherapeutic elements can be implanted on or near target cranial nerves,and sensing elements can be implanted on or near the same or othercranial nerves or at other anatomic structures in the same or differentlocations. Some components can be located in a different anatomiclocation, such as in a different cervical region than is occupied by ahousing. For example, a telemetry antenna or NFC coil can be provided ator near a surface of the skin, while a housing with circuitry thatcoordinates neuromodulation therapy or power signal management can beimplanted elsewhere, such as more deeply within one of the anteriortriangle spaces of the neck.

In an example, multiple different housings can comprise aneuromodulation system, and the different housings can contain differentcontrol circuitry, power sources, sensors, or other components. Thedifferent housings and components therein can be tethered or connected,such as wirelessly or using leads or other flexible circuitry, such asin a serially-connected, daisy-chain configuration or in a star-likeconfiguration. Such system configurations can facilitate implant of oneportion of the system in one cervical region, while targeting therapy toa nerve target or sensing physiologic status information or patientactivity level or posture from a different region. In an example, asystem that is distributed across multiple different areas can helpprovide flexibility and strain relief from repetitive motion.

The various housings for a cervically-implanted neuromodulation systemcan have various sizes, shapes, and features. For example, a housing caninclude surface contours that can correspond, generally, to contours ofa triangular (e.g., in one or more dimensions) cervical region in apatient body. For example, some cervical spaces can include one or morethree-dimensional regions or pockets, such as can be represented ordefined in part by one or more generally triangular or pyramidal spaces,such as can narrow anteriorly and medially. Accordingly, an implantabledevice housing can have an oblique or truncated prism shape, such as ator along at least one of its faces, to facilitate positioning in such apocket or space. In an example, the housing can have a generallycylindrical, prismatic, pyramidal, frustum, or spherical configuration,such as can include prismatic variations with or without parallel sides.For example, a housing configured to be implanted in anterior regions ofthe neck, such as the submandibular triangle or submental triangle, canhave a housing shaped as a rectangular prism with wide sides parallel toa base of the mandible to minimize thickness, lessen patient discomfort,and avoid the submandibular gland. In this example, a lead or leads canextend from a header of the housing to one or more cranial nerves, suchas the hypoglossal nerve in the submandibular triangle. Other cranialnerves and implantation sites can similarly be used, such as usingsimilarly or differently shaped housings.

The following discussion introduces various anatomic structures,including various triangle regions in a cervical or neck region.Following introduction of the anatomy, the discussion introduces variousdevices and features thereof that can be configured to provideneuromodulation to cranial nerve targets, among other targets, such asto treat various disorders, diseases, or symptoms.

FIG. 1 illustrates generally a first anatomic example 100 of a frontview of an anterior cervical region of a human. The region generallyextends between a clavicle 108 and mandible 116 and can be divided intovarious additional regions or subregions. In an example, the anteriorcervical region includes a pair of anterior triangles on opposite sidesof a sagittal midline 102, such as including an anterior triangle 104 asillustrated. The term “midline” as used herein refers to a line or planeof bilateral symmetry in the cervical or neck region of a person. In anexample, a midline corresponds to the sagittal plane, that is, is theanteroposterior (AP) plane of the body.

The anterior triangle 104 can include a region that is bounded by themidline 102, a base of the mandible 116, and a sternocleidomastoidmuscle, or SCM 106. A hyoid bone 110 can extend between the pair ofanterior triangles across the midline 102. The anterior triangle 104 caninclude, among other things, a digastric muscle 112 (e.g., includinganterior and posterior portions of the digastric muscle 112), amylohyoid muscle 114, and various other muscle, bone, nerve, and otherbody tissue.

FIG. 2 illustrates generally a second anatomic example 200 that includesa portion of the anterior triangle 104 from the example of FIG. 1. FIG.2 shows, for example, that the anterior triangle 104 can be divided intovarious regions, including a submandibular triangle 206, and a submentaltriangle 202. In an example, the anterior triangle 104 can furtherinclude a carotid triangle, as discussed below in the example of FIG. 3.A posterior triangle of the neck (not shown) can be divided into variousregions, including an occipital triangle and a supraclavicular triangle.

The submental triangle 202 is generally understood to include a regionthat is bounded by the midline 102, the hyoid bone 110, and the anteriordigastric muscle 204. The submandibular triangle 206 is generallyunderstood to include a region that is bounded by the anterior digastricmuscle 204, the posterior digastric muscle 208, and the base of themandible 116.

FIG. 3 illustrates generally a third anatomic example 300 that includesa partial side view of the anterior triangle 104. The example of FIG. 3further illustrates the location of the submandibular triangle 206, suchas in relation to the anterior digastric muscle 204 and the mandible116. The example of FIG, 3 illustrates the carotid triangle 302, such ascan comprise a portion of the anterior triangle 104 in the cervicalregion. The carotid triangle 302 is generally understood to include aregion that is bounded by the SCM 106, the omohyoid muscle 306, and theposterior digastric muscle 208.

In an example, an implantable neuromodulation device can be implanted inthe anterior triangle 104 or in the posterior triangle, such as usingthe systems and methods discussed herein. In further examples, animplantable neuromodulation device can be implanted in one or more ofthe submental triangle 202 and the submandibular triangle 206. Theimplantable neuromodulation device can be configured to provide astimulation therapy to one or multiple nerve targets such as can be inor near the anterior triangle 104 or the posterior triangle, or to nervetargets that can be accessed via tunneled leads that extend from ahousing disposed in the anterior triangle 104 or the posterior triangle.In other words, various regions in the anterior and posterior cervicaltriangles can provide access to a main body of, or to branches of,various cranial nerves, including the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), theaccessory nerve (CN XI), the vagus nerve (CN X), the glossopharyngealnerve (CN IX), the facial nerve (CN VII), and the trigeminal nerve (CNV), among others.

The present inventors have realized that the anterior and posteriorcervical triangles are anatomic locations suitable for implantation of aneuromodulation system or component thereof. The present inventors havefurther realized that the locations include various anatomic structuressuitable for coupling and therefore stabilizing a neuromodulation systemor component thereof. For example, the present inventors have recognizedthat such coupling structures can include the hyoid bone 110, theconnective tissue sling of the hyoid bone 110, the mandible 116, thedigastric tendon, the anterior or posterior portion of the digastricmuscle 112, the stylohyoid muscle 304, the mylohyoid muscle 114, theomohyoid muscle, or the SCM 106.

FIG. 4 illustrates generally a fourth anatomic example 400 that includesa partial side view that includes the anterior triangle 104. The fourthanatomic example 400 illustrates an upper portion of the anteriortriangle 104 and a portion of the upper neck, such as at or below atemporal bone 424. A representation of a tongue 406 and of a portion ofa jugular vein 404 is included for further context and reference.

The fourth anatomic example 400 shows various nerves and vessels. Theillustrated nerves include some, but not all, of the cranial nerves thatcan be targeted using the neuromodulation systems, devices, and methodsdiscussed herein. For example, nerve targets in the fourth anatomicexample 400 include a facial nerve 402, a jugular vein 404, aglossopharyngeal nerve 412, a pharyngeal branch of vagus nerve 414, avagus nerve 416, a hypoglossal nerve 418, and a mandibular branch of thetrigeminal nerve 428, among others.

The example of FIG. 4 includes an example of an implantable therapydevice 426. The implantable therapy device 426 can be implanted in apatient in an upper portion of an anterior triangle 104 of a cervicalregion of the patient. For example, the implantable therapy device 426can be implanted in one or more of the submental triangle 202 and thesubmandibular triangle 206. In the example of FIG. 4, the implantabletherapy device 426 can be coupled to various anatomical structures, suchas a stylohyoid muscle 410, a hyoid bone 408, or other tendons orstructures in the upper neck.

The example of FIG. 4 includes multiple leads coupled to the implantabletherapy device 426. For example, the implantable therapy device 426 canbe coupled to a lower electrode lead 420, an anterior electrode lead422, and an upper electrode lead 430. The lower electrode lead 420 canbe implanted at or near a neural target on the vagus nerve 416, forexample, in or adjacent to the carotid triangle 302. In an example, thelower electrode lead 420 can be coupled to the SCM 106 or otherstructure at or near the vagus nerve 416. The upper electrode lead 430can be implanted at or near the facial nerve 402, the mandibular branchof the trigeminal nerve 428, or the glossopharyngeal nerve 412, amongothers. In an example, the anterior electrode lead 422 can be implantedat or near a neural target on the hypoglossal nerve 418. Various detailsof the implantable therapy device 426 and its associated leads arediscussed herein, including in the example of FIG. 5.

In an example, the various implantable devices and components thereofthat are discussed herein can be coupled to various anatomic structuresor tissues inside a patient body, such to stabilize or maintain a deviceor component at a particular location and resist device movement ormigration as the patient carries out their daily activities. In anexample, coupling a device or component to tissue can include anchoring,affixing, attaching, or otherwise securing the device or component totissue using a coupling feature. A coupling feature can include, but isnot limited to, a flap or flange, such as for suturing to tissue (e.g.,muscle, tendon, cartilage, bone, or other tissue).

In an example, a coupling feature can include various hardware such as ascrew or helical member that can be driven into or attached to tissue orbone. In an example, a coupling feature can include a cuff, sleeve,adhesive, or other component. In an example, one or multiple differentcoupling features can be used for different portions of the sameneuromodulation system. For example, a suture can be used to couple adevice housing to a tissue site, and a lead, such as coupled to thehousing, can include a distal cuff to secure the lead at or near aneural target.

FIG. 5 illustrates generally an example of a system 500 that can beconfigured to provide or control a neuromodulation therapy. The system500 can include an implantable system 502 and an external system 520.The implantable system 502 and the external system 520 can becommunicatively coupled using a wireless coupling 528. In an example,the wireless coupling 528 can enable power signal communication (e.g.,unidirectionally from the external system 520 to the implantable system502), or can enable data signal communication (e.g., bidirectionallybetween the implantable system 502 and the external system 520). In anexample, the implantable system 502 or the external system 520 can bewirelessly coupled for power or data communications with one or moreother devices, including other implantable or implanted devices, such asin the same patient body.

In the example of FIG. 5, the implantable system 502 can include anantenna 504, a sensor(s) 506 such as comprising one or more physiologicsensors, a stimulation lead(s) 508, a processor circuit 510, anultrasonic transducer 512, a power storage circuit 514, a stimulationsignal generator circuit 516, and a memory circuit 518, among othercomponents or modules.

In an example, the antenna 504 can include a telemetry antenna such asconfigured for data communication between the implantable system 502 andthe external system 520. In an example, the antenna 504 can include anantenna, such as an NFC coil, that is configured for wireless powercommunication between the implantable system 502 and the external system520 or other external power source.

The processor circuit 510 can include a general purpose or purpose-builtprocessor. The memory circuit 518 can include a long-term or short-termmemory circuit, such as can include instructions executable by theprocessor circuit 510 to carry out therapy or physiologic monitoringactivities for the system 500. In an example, the processor circuit 510of the implantable system 502 is configured to manage telemetry or datasignal communications with the external system 520, such as using theantenna 504 or other communication circuitry.

In an example, the stimulation signal generator circuit 516 includes anoscillator, pulse generator, or other circuitry configured to generateelectrical signals that can provide electrostimulation signals to apatient body, or to power various sensors (e.g., including the sensor(s)506), or transducers (e.g., including the ultrasonic transducer 512). Inan example, the stimulation signal generator circuit 516 can beconfigured to generate multiple electrical signals to provide multipolarelectrostimulation therapy to multiple neural targets, such asconcurrently or in a time-multiplexed manner. The stimulation signalgenerator circuit 516 can be configured to use or provide differentneurostimulation signals, such as can have different pulse amplitude,pulse duration, waveform, stimulation frequency, or burst patterncharacteristics.

The stimulation signal generator circuit 516 can be used to generatetherapy signals for multiple different targets concurrently. Forexample, signals from the stimulation signal generator circuit 516 canbe used to stimulate one cranial nerve target to efferent effect, and tostimulate a different nerve or branch to elicit an afferent response. Inanother example, one cranial nerve can be blocked while another nerve isstimulated. Other combinations can similarly be used.

In an example, the stimulation lead(s) 508 can include one or more leadsthat are coupled to or integrated with a housing or header of theimplantable system 502. The stimulation lead(s) 508 can be detachablefrom the housing to facilitate replacement or repair.

In an example, the stimulation lead(s) 508 can includeelectrostimulation hardware such as electrodes having variousconfigurations, including cuff electrodes, flat electrodes, percutaneouselectrodes or other configurations suitable for electrical stimulationof nerves or nerve bodies or branches. In an example, the stimulationlead(s) 508 can additionally or alternatively comprise otherneuromodulation therapy hardware such as the ultrasonic transducer 512,drug delivery means, or a mechanical actuator, such as can be configuredto modulate neural activity.

The leads and/or electrodes discussed herein can have various featuresthat can facilitate placement at, and stimulation of, one or more neuraltargets. A lead can have one or more electrodes that can be used fornerve stimulation, nerve blocking, or nerve sensing. The electrodes canhave various surface area and spacing (e.g., spacing from otherelectrodes, sensors, targets, etc.) to optimize for a particularfunction. In an example, an electrode can comprise various materials,including low-oxidation metals or metal alloys (e.g., platinum, platinumiridium, etc.) for use in implantable systems. In an example, anelectrode can be treated or coated with another material such as topromote healing or enhance charge transfer to tissue.

In an example, an electrode lead can comprise one or multipleelectrodes, such as can having the same or different electrodecharacteristics. A lead can include, for example, a spiral electrode orcuff electrode. In such an example, one or more conductive surfaces canbe exposed on an inside surface of a curved or spiral cuff assembly suchas can comprise a portion of a lead body. In an example, a spiral cuffassembly (and hence, electrodes) can be designed to circumferentiallywrap snugly around a body of a nerve and can be self-sizing. In anexample, a cuff electrode can be configured to surround a particulartarget to thereby direct stimulation energy to the target from multipledifferent directions concurrently, such as while insulating theelectrode from adjacent tissue.

In an example, a surface electrode or electrode array can be used. Inthis example, one or more electrodes can be exposed on one side of aflat or round section of a lead body. An array of electrodes of variousshapes, sizes, or other characteristics, can be provided to spatiallycontrol neuromodulation therapy delivery. In an example, electrodesurfaces can be oriented toward a target nerve or other structure, suchas to focus an electric field provided by the electrode or electrodes.Surface electrode leads can be surgically placed by exposing the targetanatomy, or can be steered using, e.g., a catheter-based delivery systemfrom a distal surgical access point.

In an example, a percutaneous electrode can be used, such as includingone or more electrodes exposed on a lead that is inserted into a bloodvessel (or other conducting tissue in the vicinity of a neural target)using percutaneous techniques. A percutaneous lead can be navigated by aclinician, within or through vasculature, toward target nerves or neuralstructures that are in close proximity to the vasculature. In anexample, electrodes on a percutaneous lead can be directly on the leadbody or can comprise a percutaneous structure, such as a stent-likeframe or scaffold, whereby the electrodes can be oriented towards thetarget and away from the blood in the vessel.

In an example, a bifurcated lead can be used to provide electrodes atmultiple different and spaced apart anatomical targets while using asingle connection to a header. In an example, a modular lead can be usedsuch as to extend or tailor a lead to accommodate a patient's anatomy ortarget structures.

In an example, the stimulation lead(s) 508 can comprise one or moreelectrodes that can be provided or grouped together at a distal end of alead, such as spaced apart from a housing, or the electrodes can bedistributed along a length of the lead. In an example, a lead caninclude multiple different electrode groups of one or more electrodesprovided at different locations along a length of the lead.Additionally, a housing of the various devices discussed herein caninclude one or more electrodes configured for use in electrostimulationdelivery. Each of the electrodes in or coupled to the implantable system502 can be separately addressable by neuromodulation therapy control orcoordination circuitry to deliver a coordinated therapy to one ormultiple targets.

Various stimulation configurations can be used with any of the electrodeor lead types discussed herein. In an example, different configurationscan be used to provide or modify a stimulating electric field to therebyaffect an extent and manner of neural excitation. The configurations caninclude, for example, unipolar, bipolar, and various combinations ofmultipolar configurations. In a bipolar or multipolar configuration, aguard electrode can be used to help steer excitation or inhibit neuralactivity. In an example, an electrode configuration can be dynamicallychanged, such as throughout the course of a particular therapy, such asthrough programming changes or during operation to achieve a particulartherapy.

In an example, the sensor(s) 506 can include, among other things,electrodes for sensing of electrical activity such as usingelectrocardiograms (ECGs), impedance, electromyograms (EMGs) of selectmuscles, and/or electroneurograms (ENGs) of target cranial nerves andbranches. The sensor(s) 506 can include pressure sensors,photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, chemical sensors (e.g., pH, lactate,glucose, etc.) or other sensors that can be used for physiologic sensingof cardiac, respiratory, or other physiologic activity. In an example,the sensor(s) 506 can include an accelerometer, gyroscope or geomagneticsensor, such as can be configured to measure patient or device movement,vibration, position, or orientation information. Other examples of thesensor(s) 506 are discussed elsewhere herein, including in thediscussion of the machine 1700 and the various I/O components 1742, suchas including the biometric components 1732, motion components 1734, andenvironmental components 1736. In an example, information from thesensor(s) 506 can be received by the processor circuit 510 and used toupdate or titrate a neuromodulation therapy.

In an example, the implantable system 502 can include one or moresensor(s) 506, such as can be used in providing closed-loopneuromodulation therapy that is based at least in part on physiologicstatus information about a patient (e.g., respiration, heart rate, bloodpressure, neural or muscular activation, or other information). In anexample, the sensor(s) 506 can be used to receive diagnosticinformation, or to receive information about patient movement or bodyposition.

In an example, hypoglossal nerve stimulation, such as to treat OSA, canbe controlled at least in part based on information from anaccelerometer or gyroscope to determine patient respiration, patientactivity, and body orientation or position, such as together withinformation from a pressure sensor about respiration. In other words,using information from the sensor(s) 506, such as includingaccelerometer and pressure sensors, the implantable system 502 cancontrol neuromodulation therapy provided to the hypoglossal nerve, suchas can include stimulation during a particular time within a respiratorycycle, and can use body position information to automatically enabletherapy when, for example, the patient is sleeping.

In the example of FIG. 5, the external system 520 can include variouscomponents that can be provided together as a unitary external device orcan include multiple devices configured to work together to manage apatient therapy, manage a device such as the implantable system 502, orperform other functions associated with the implantable system 502. Theexternal system 520 can include an antenna 522, a processor circuit 524,and an interface 526, among other components or modules.

The antenna 522 can comprise one or multiple antennas such as can beconfigured for nearfield or farfield communications with, for example,the antenna 504 of the implantable system 502, a different implantabledevice or system, or other external device. In an example, the antenna522 and the antenna 504 can be used to exchange power or data betweenthe implantable system 502 and the external system 520. For example,information about a prescribed therapy can be uploaded from the externalsystem 520 to the implantable system 502, or information about aphysiologic status, such as measured by the sensor(s) 506, can bedownloaded from the implantable system 502 to the external system 520.

The processor circuit 524 can include a general purpose or purpose-builtprocessor configured to carry out various activities on the externalsystem 520 or in coordination with the implantable system 502. In anexample, the processor circuit 524 of the external system 520 isconfigured to manage telemetry or data signal communications with theimplantable system 502, such as using the antenna 522 or othercommunication circuitry.

The interface 526 can include a patient or clinician interface, such asto report device information or to receive instructions or therapyparameters for implementation by the implantable system 502. In anexample, the interface 526 can include an interface or gateway tofacilitate communication between the 502 or the external system 520 witha patient management system or other medical record system. Otherfeatures, modules, and components of the implantable system 502 and theexternal system 520 can be included in the system 500 to help administervarious neuromodulation therapies.

In an example, the systems, devices, and components discussed herein,including at least the implantable system 502 and the external system520 of the system 500, can be used to provide neuromodulation therapy tonerve targets inside a patient body, such as to treat one or moredisorders or diseases. In an example, the system 500 or componentsthereof can be configured to provide neuromodulation therapy to multiplenerve targets in a coordinated manner, such as concurrently, or in atime-multiplexed sequence. In an example, the neuromodulation therapycan include one or more, or combinations of, neural stimulation andblocking signals, such as can be directed to afferent or efferent nervestructures or targets to trigger different responses. The therapy canoptionally include using vector-based stimulation configurations totarget particular nerves or nerve regions, or can include morerelatively targeted or isolated nerve fibers. In an example, acoordinated neuromodulation therapy can include blocking at a firstnerve target, while stimulating a second nerve target, or concurrently(or in time-sequence) stimulating multiple different nerve targets.

In an example, the particular patient disorder or disease can dictatethe particular neural target to modulate with a neuromodulation therapy.For example, to treat obstructive sleep apnea using the system 500,various cranial nerves can be targeted individually or together, such asincluding the trigeminal nerve (e.g., the V3 mandibular branch of thetrigeminal nerve 428), the hypoglossal nerve 418 (e.g., including one ormore branches thereof), the glossopharyngeal nerve 412, the vagus nerve416, or the facial nerve 402 (e.g., including various extracranialbranches thereof).

In an example, the system 500 can be used to treat OSA by providing aneuromodulation therapy to or including the mandibular branch of thetrigeminal nerve 428 and the hypoglossal nerve 418. In this example,neuromodulation of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve 428 caninfluence motor control of the mylohyoid muscle 114 or the anteriordigastric muscle 204, and neuromodulation of the hypoglossal nerve 418can influence motor control of muscles in the tongue 406.

In an example, the system 500 can be used to treat OSA by providing aneuromodulation therapy to or including the facial nerve 402 and to thehypoglossal nerve 418. In this example, neuromodulation of the facialnerve 402 can influence motor control of the stylohyoid muscle 304 orthe posterior digastric muscle 208, and neuromodulation of thehypoglossal nerve 418 can influence motor control of muscles in thetongue 406.

In an example, the system 500 can be used to treat OSA by providing aneuromodulation therapy to or including the glossopharyngeal nerve 412and the hypoglossal nerve 418. In this example, neuromodulation of theglossopharyngeal nerve 412 can influence motor control of thestylopharyngeus muscle, and neuromodulation of the hypoglossal nerve 418can influence motor control of muscles in the tongue 406.

In an example, the system 500 can be used to treat OSA by providing aneuromodulation therapy to or including various branches of thehypoglossal nerve 418, including anterior branches, posterior branches,or multiple branches concurrently, including or using a bilateralconfiguration to target branches on opposite sides of the midline 102 ofa patient. The neuromodulation of the hypoglossal nerve 418 caninfluence motor control of various muscles in the tongue 406. In anexample, neuromodulation therapy that includes stimulating or blockingthe hypoglossal nerve 418 can be combined with therapy that targets oneor more of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve 428 (e.g., toinfluence motor control of the mylohyoid muscle 114 or the anteriordigastric muscle 204), the facial nerve 402 (e.g., to influence motorcontrol of the stylohyoid muscle 304 or the posterior digastric muscle208), or the glossopharyngeal nerve 412 (e.g., to influence motorcontrol of the stylopharyngeus muscle), among others.

Any one or more branches of the hypoglossal nerve 418 can receive aneuromodulation therapy from the implantable system 502. For example,any one or more of the posterior branches of the hypoglossal nerve 418can receive neuromodulation, including for example “branches” off thehypoglossal nerve sheath such as the descending branch, also referred toas the superior root of the ansa cervacalis, the thyrohyoid branch, orthe geniohyoid branch. Any one or more of the anterior branches of thehypoglossal nerve 418 can receive neuromodulation, including for examplewhere a main trunk of the hypoglossal nerve 418 branches to the musclesof the tongue, also referred to as the muscular branch (B6), orincluding the muscular branch itself. The muscular branch can includesub-branches or nerve fibers that innervate specific muscles of thetongue.

In an example, the system 500 can be used to treat OSA or otherdisorders or diseases such as heart failure, hypertension, atrialfibrillation, epilepsy, depression, stroke, autism, inflammatory boweldisease, chronic inflammation, chronic pain (e.g., in cervical regions,in the lower back, or elsewhere), tinnitus, or rheumatoid arthritis,among others, such as by providing a neuromodulation therapy to orincluding the vagus nerve 416. Neuromodulation of the vagus nerve 416can influence parasympathetic tone to thereby treat or alleviatesymptoms associated with the various diseases or disorders mentioned,among others. In an example, a therapy that includes stimulation of thevagus nerve 416 can include therapy provided to one or more branches ofthe hypoglossal nerve 418, the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve428, the facial nerve 402, or the glossopharyngeal nerve 412. In anexample, neuromodulation therapy that includes stimulating or blocking aportion of the vagus nerve 416 can be combined with therapy that targetsone or more of the glossopharyngeal nerve 412 (e.g., to furtherinfluence parasympathetic tone), the carotid sinus (e.g., to stimulate abaroreceptor response), or the superior cervical ganglion or branchesthereof (e.g., to influence sympathetic tone).

In an example, a neuromodulation therapy for treatment of heart failure,hypertension, and/or atrial fibrillation can include therapy provided toor including one or more of the glossopharyngeal nerve 412 (e.g., toinfluence parasympathetic tone, such as via communication to the vagusnerve 416), the superior cervical ganglion (e.g., to influencesympathetic tone), or the carotid sinus (e.g., to stimulate abaroreceptor response).

In an example, the system 500 can be configured to treat heart failure,hypertension, migraine headaches, xerostomia, or other diseases ordisorders by providing a neuromodulation therapy to or including theglossopharyngeal nerve 412. Stimulation or blocking of theglossopharyngeal nerve 412 can, for example, influence parasympathetictone or can affect motor activity of the stylopharyngeus muscle.

In an example, the system 500 can be configured to treat drug-refractoryepilepsy, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), migraineheadaches, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), craniofacialpain syndrome, among other diseases and disorders, such as by providinga neuromodulation therapy to or including the mandibular branch of thetrigeminal nerve 428.

In an example, the system 500 can be configured to treat craniofacialpain syndrome, or facial palsy, among other things, such as by providinga neuromodulation therapy to or including the facial nerve 402, such asincluding various extracranial branches or roots thereof. In an example,the system 500 can be configured to treat fibromyalgia such as byproviding a neuromodulation therapy to or including the spinal accessorynerve, such as to target the trapezius muscle, which is understood to bea potential trigger point for fibromyalgia. In an example, the system500 can be configured to treat migraine headaches or tinnitus, such asby providing a neuromodulation therapy to or including a great occipitalnerve, such as can be accessed using electrodes implanted in thecervical region of a patient.

Neuromodulation therapies can thus be provided using the system 500, orusing components thereof, to treat a variety of different diseases ordisorders. The therapies can include targeted, single-locationstimulation or blocking (e.g., using electrical pulses, ultrasonicsignals, or other energy) therapy at one of the locations mentionedherein (among others) or can include coordinated stimulation or blockingacross or using multiple different locations. The following discussionillustrates several examples of different implantation locations andneural targets, however, others including those specifically mentionedabove, can similarly be used.

In an example, the implantable system 502 can comprise various devicesthat can be implanted in various different areas of the body, includingin a cervical region. The examples of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 through FIG.13, illustrate generally different examples of the implantable system502 such as implanted in various different cervical locations.

FIG. 6 illustrates generally a first example 600 that includes a firstimplantable device 608 implanted in the submandibular triangle 206 of apatient. In the first example 600, the first implantable device 608 canbe coupled to an anatomic structure in the submandibular triangle 206,such as using a suture, anchor, or other affixation means. In anexample, the first implantable device 608 can be coupled to one or moreof the mandible 116, the anterior digastric muscle 204, the posteriordigastric muscle 208, the mylohyoid muscle 114, the digastric tendon602, or other bone, tendon, muscle, or other structure that is in oradjacent to the submandibular triangle 206. In the example of FIG. 6,the first implantable device 608 can be provided near, but spaced apartfrom, a submandibular gland 604 of the patient.

In the example of FIG. 6, the first implantable device 608 includes afirst header 610. The first header 610 can be used to couple one ormultiple electrode leads, sensor leads, or other devices to the firstimplantable device 608. For example, the first header 610 can be used tocouple the first implantable device 608 to a first electrode lead 606,and the first electrode lead 606 can be tunneled to a cranial nervetarget. Electrodes configured to deliver electrostimulation signals tothe nerve target can be situated at or adjacent to the target. In anexample, the first electrode lead 606 can be tunneled to a hypoglossalnerve in or near an anterior cervical region of a patient.

In the example of FIG. 6, the first implantable device 608 is shown withone header. The first implantable device 608 can optionally includemultiple headers to interface the first implantable device 608 with oneor multiple other leads, such as electrode leads, sensor leads,communication coils, or other devices. Referring again to FIG. 4, forexample, the implantable therapy device 426 can include multipleheaders, such as coupled to the respective different leads that extendfrom opposite sides of a body of the implantable therapy device 426.

FIG. 7 illustrates generally a second example 700 that includes a secondimplantable device 702 implanted in the submandibular triangle 206 of apatient. In the second example 700, the second implantable device 702can be coupled to an anatomic structure in the submandibular triangle206, such as using a suture, anchor, or other affixation means. In anexample, the second implantable device 702 can be coupled to one or moreof the mandible 116, the anterior digastric muscle 204, the posteriordigastric muscle 208, the mylohyoid muscle 114, or other bone, tendon,muscle, or other structure that is in or adjacent to the submandibulartriangle 206.

The example of the second implantable device 702 includes an elongatehousing structure with respective headers on opposite side ends of thedevice. For example, the second implantable device 702 includes a firstheader 704 coupled to the first electrode lead 606, such as can betunneled to a first cranial nerve target. The second implantable device702 can include a second header 706 coupled to a second electrode lead712 and to a first data and power communication lead 714. The secondelectrode lead 712 can be coupled to a second cranial nerve target.

In an example, the first data and power communication lead 714 cancouple the second implantable device 702 to a wireless communicationcoil 710. The wireless communication coil 710 can be configured tofacilitate data or power signal communication with a wireless externaldevice, such as external to the patient. In an example, the wirelesscommunication coil 710 comprises the antenna 504 that can be used tocommunicate with the external system 520. Power or data signals receivedusing the wireless communication coil 710 can be communicated to thesecond implantable device 702 and stored or used.

In the example of FIG. 7, the wireless communication coil 710 can becoupled or mounted to a first coil support 708. The first coil support708 and the wireless communication coil 710 can comprise a flexiblestructure that can be positioned at or near a tissue interface of apatient, such as under the skin and adjacent to muscle, bone, or othertissue. For example, the first coil support 708 can be provided at oradjacent to a surface of the anterior digastric muscle 204 and facingaway from the patient body. In another example, the first coil support708 can be provided interiorly to the anterior digastric muscle 204, orbehind the anterior digastric muscle 204 in the view of FIG. 7. Thefirst coil support 708 can be otherwise oriented elsewhere in theanterior triangle 104 of the patient and can be coupled to the secondimplantable device 702 by tunneling the first data and powercommunication lead 714. For example, the first coil support 708 can beprovided under a chin region, such as at or near a tip of the submentaltriangle 202 of the patient, away from the hyoid bone 110.

FIG. 8 illustrates generally a third example 800 that includes asubmental implantable device 802 implanted in the submental triangle 202of a patient. In the third example 800, the submental implantable device802 can be coupled to an anatomic structure in the submental triangle202, such as using a suture, anchor, or other affixation means. In anexample, the submental implantable device 802 can be coupled to one ormore of the mylohyoid muscle 114, the anterior digastric muscle 204, thehyoid bone 110, or other bone, tendon, muscle, or other structure thatis in or adjacent the submental triangle 202. The submental implantabledevice 802 can be installed adjacent to, or at least partially under theanterior digastric muscle 204, such as between the anterior digastricmuscle 204 and the underlying mylohyoid muscle 114.

The example of the submental implantable device 802 includes an elongatehousing structure with at least one header on a first side end of thedevice. In the example of FIG. 8, the submental implantable device 802is coupled to an electrode lead 806 that can be tunneled to a firstcranial nerve target. The submental implantable device 802 can becoupled to a submandibular communication coil 804, such as using asecond data and power communication lead 808.

In the example of FIG. 8, the submandibular communication coil 804 canbe coupled or mounted to a second coil support 810. The second coilsupport 810 and the submandibular communication coil 804 can comprise aflexible structure that can be positioned at or near a tissue interfaceof a patient, such as under the skin and adjacent to muscle, bone, orother tissue, For example, the second coil support 810 can be providedat or adjacent to a surface of at least one of the posterior digastricmuscle 208 and the anterior digastric muscle 204, and can be orientedsuch that the submandibular communication coil 804 faces away from thepatient body, in another example, the first coil support 708 can beprovided interiorly to the digastric muscles, such as adjacent to themylohyoid muscle 114.

FIG. 9 illustrates generally a fourth example 900 that includes a thirdimplantable device 902 implanted in the carotid triangle 302 of apatient. In the fourth example 900, the third implantable device 902 canbe coupled to an anatomic structure in the carotid triangle 302, such asusing a suture, anchor, or other affixation means. In an example, thethird implantable device 902 can be coupled to one or more of the SCM106, the omohyoid muscle 306, the hyoid bone 110, or other bone, tendon,muscle, or other structure that is in or adjacent to the carotidtriangle 302,

The example of the third implantable device 902 includes an elongatehousing structure with at least one header on a first side end of thedevice. In the example of FIG. 9, the third implantable device 902 iscoupled to a multipolar electrode lead 904 that can be tunneled to acranial nerve target. For example, an electrode array 906 of themultipolar electrode lead 904 can be disposed at or near a nerve target(or targets) outside of the carotid triangle 302, and the multipolarelectrode lead 904 can be tunneled to the carotid triangle 302 to couplewith the third implantable device 902. In an example, the electrodearray 906 can be provided at or near a hypoglossal nerve 418 of thepatient, such as in or near the submandibular triangle 206.

FIG. 10 illustrates generally an example of a first segmented device1000. The first segmented device 1000 can be an implantable device thatis configured for implantation at or in an anterior cervical region of apatient. For example, the first segmented device 1000 can be configuredto be implanted in one or multiple different triangles of the cervicalregion, as further described below. That is, different segments orportions of the first segmented device 1000 can be implanted inrespective different triangles in a cervical region of a patient. In anexample, the first segmented device 1000 comprises the implantablesystem 502 from the example of FIG. 5.

The first segmented device 1000 includes a first housing 1004 and asecond housing 1006 that can be connected using a flexible housingcoupling 1014. The first segmented device 1000 can include a first cuffelectrode 1002 (e.g., comprising one or multiple electrodes) that iscoupled to the first housing 1004 using an electrode lead 1010. Thefirst segmented device 1000 can further include a communication coil1008, such as can be electrically coupled to the second housing 1006using a power and data lead 1016.

The communication coil 1008 can be coupled to a support member 1012 thatcan help maintain the coil in a configuration suitable for wirelesscommunications with an external transmitter. In an example, the supportmember 1012 can include one or more mounting features 1018 to couple thesupport member 1012, and therefore the communication coil 1008, to ananatomical structure inside a patient body, For example, the mountingfeature 1018 can include one or more through-holes in the support member1012 that can be used to suture the support member 1012 to a tissuesite. in an example, the support member 1012 can comprise a flexible,irregularly shaped flap configured for implantation and avoidance ofparticular structures, such as a submandibular gland or nerve to themylohyoid. The flap can help couple the support member 1012 superiorly.

In an example, the second housing 1006 comprises a power storagecircuit, such as can comprise the power storage circuit 514 from theexample of FIG. 5. The power storage circuit can comprise a battery, acapacitor bank, or other means to store electrical power, such as can bereceived wirelessly using the communication coil 1008.

In an example, the various leads and couplings that comprise the firstsegmented device 1000 can include one or more electrical conductors.Power signals, electrostimulation signals, or other signals can becommunicated among the different portions of the first segmented device1000 using the electrical conductors. For example, the housing coupling1014 can include a power conductor such that a battery in the secondhousing 1006 can be used to power electrostimulation control circuitryin the first housing 1004.

In an example, the first segmented device 1000 can comprise componentparts that can be organized in various different configurations, such asto optimize implantation or to configure the device to best match aparticular patient anatomy. That is, the device can be configured toaccommodate anatomic variations among different patients. For example,different lead lengths can be selected, or the orientation or positionof the different components along the signal chain can be adjusted.

In an example, the first housing 1004 or the second housing 1006 can useheaders to connect with the various leads, or the first housing 1004 andthe second housing 1006 can be integrated (e.g., attached at a point ofmanufacture rather than at a time of implantation) with their respectiveleads. By using a modular approach, component parts can be surgicallyupdated or upgraded.

In an example, respective portions of the first segmented device 1000can be configured for implantation in submandibular triangle 206 and inthe submental triangle 202 of a patient. That is, the first segmenteddevice 1000 can be configured to extend between the triangle regions,such as across a portion of a digastric muscle. Providing the portionsof the first segmented device 1000 in different triangles of thecervical region can help minimize interference between the firstsegmented device 1000 and patient movement, such as due to activity ofthe digastric muscles. In an example, the first housing 1004 and thesecond housing 1006 can be differently sized such that a larger of thetwo housings can be disposed in the particular triangular region thatoffers more space. Such a distributed arrangement or implantation of thecomponents of the first segmented device 1000 can be helpful. inmaintaining patient comfort since muscles in the cervical region can beused for complex movement of the head, neck, mouth, tongue, and otherareas.

FIG. 11 illustrates generally an example of a submandibular implantabledevice 1100. The submandibular implantable device 1100 can be animplantable device that is configured for implantation at or in ananterior cervical region of a patient. For example, the submandibularimplantable device 1100 can be configured to be implanted in one ormultiple different triangles of the cervical region, as furtherdescribed below, That is, different segments or portions of thesubmandibular implantable device 1100 can be implanted in the sametriangle region or in respective different triangle regions in acervical region of a patient.

The submandibular implantable device 1100 includes an implantable devicehousing 1102 that can include, among other things, power storagecircuitry, electrostimulation generation circuitry, and controlcircuitry. Circuitry in the implantable device housing 1102 can becoupled to an electrode assembly 1116 using a power, data, and therapysignal lead 1118, and the electrode assembly 1116 can be used to provideneuromodulation signals at a cervical neural target in a patient body.In an example, the circuitry in the implantable device housing 1102 canbe coupled to the electrode assembly 1116 via a device header 1110.

In an example, the implantable device housing 1102 can be coupled to acommunication coil 1106 using one or more conductors in the power, data,and therapy signal lead 1118. The communication coil can include a powercommunication coil and/or a telemetry antenna. in an example, thecommunication coil 1106 can be coupled to a support member 1114. Thesupport member 1114 can include one or more support mounting features1108 for coupling the support member 1114 to tissue. In an example, thesupport member 1114 can include a housing mount 1104 that is configuredto receive or couple with the implantable device housing 1102, That is,the support member 1114 can include a mounting structure or feature thatcan be configured to secure or retain the implantable device housing1102 together with the support member 1114. In an example, theimplantable device housing 1102 can include various features that areconfigured to mate with, or to be used together with, the housing mount1104. For example, the housing mount 1104 can include suture holes, andthe device mounting feature 1112 can comprise a through-hole or groovethat is configured to receive a suture therein. A suture can then beused to join the implantable device housing 1102 to the support member1114 using the housing mount 1104. In an example, the support member1114 can be configured to be coupled or otherwise affixed to themylohyoid muscle 114, such as in or near the submental triangle 202 orthe submandibular triangle 206 of a patient.

In an example, the device mounting feature 1112 can be configured toreceive one or more sutures, bands, or flaps that are configured to looparound structures like a digastric tendon or a hyoid bone or otherconnective tissue, and can affix back to itself, thereby coupling theimplantable device housing 1102 to a stable piece of the anatomy.

FIG. 12 illustrates generally a first submandibular triangle example1200 that can include or use the submandibular implantable device 1100from the example of FIG. 11. In the example, portions of thesubmandibular implantable device 1100 can be implanted in asubmandibular triangle region of a neck, such as between the anteriordigastric muscle 204 and the posterior digastric muscle 208.

In the example of FIG. 12, the support member 1114 of the submandibularimplantable device 1100 can be coupled to one or more anatomicstructures in the submandibular triangle. For example, the supportmember 1114 can be coupled to the anterior digastric muscle 204 using ananterior suture 1206, or to the posterior digastric muscle 208 using aposterior suture 1202, or to the mylohyoid muscle 114, such as using oneor more other sutures.

The implantable device housing 1102 can be coupled to the same digastricstructures as the support member 1114, or can be coupled to otheranatomic structures in the submandibular triangle. For example, theimplantable device housing 1102 can be coupled to the mylohyoid muscle114, such as using a housing-tissue anchor 1204. In an example, thehousing-tissue anchor 1204 can include one or more sutures that can wraparound or through a portion of the implantable device housing 1102 andthe muscle tissue, to thereby affix the housing-tissue anchor 1204 totissue inside the submandibular triangle.

FIG. 13 illustrates generally a second submandibular triangle example1300 that can include or use the submandibular implantable device 1100from the example of FIG. 11. In the example, the implantable devicehousing 1102 can be coupled to the support member 1114, such as usingthe housing mount 1104. The assembly that includes the support member1114 and the implantable device housing 1102 can be implanted in asubmandibular triangle region of a neck, such as between the anteriordigastric muscle 204 and the posterior digastric muscle 208. In anexample, the support mounting features 1108 of the support member 1114can be used to couple respective sides of the assembly to the anteriordigastric muscle 204 and the posterior digastric muscle 208.

The example of FIG. 13 illustrates the implantable device housing 1102coupled to an outward-facing first surface of the support member 1114.That is, FIG. 13 shows the implantable device housing 1102 facing towardskin or away from other internal cervical structures. In an example, theimplantable device housing 1102 can be coupled to an opposite secondsurface of the support member 1114, such as facing inward toward themylohyoid muscle 114 and other internal cervical structures. Theimplantable device housing 1102 can be coupled to the support member1114 using, for example, a housing-support anchor 1302, such as caninclude a suture, clip, cuff, or other means for coupling a flexiblesupport substrate of the support member 1114 to a structural housing.

The examples of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 illustrate generally thesubmandibular implantable device 1100 with the power, data, and therapysignal lead 1118 extending away from the submandibular triangle to ahypoglossal nerve target. One or more other nerve targets can similarlybe accessed using one or more other leads, such as using the samesupport member 1114 and implantable device housing 1102 and circuitrytherein,

FIG. 14 illustrates generally an example of a method 1400 that caninclude providing a neuromodulation therapy to multiple cranial nerves.The method 1400 can optionally include or use the system 500 or othersystem configured for modulation of a nerve stimulation or blockingtherapy.

At block 1402, the method 1400 can include providing an implantableneuromodulation device in an anterior cervical region of a patient. Forexample, block 1402 can include implanting the implantable system 502(or one or more components thereof) in one or more of the submentaltriangle 202, the submandibular triangle 206, or the carotid triangle302 in an anterior portion of a patient neck. In an example, block 1402can include implanting or coupling multiple different housings thatcomprise portions of the system 500 to various anatomic structures thatare in or that border the various triangle regions in the anteriorportion of the patient neck.

At block 1404, the method 1400 can include providing a first lead, suchas an electrode lead (e.g., a first instance of a stimulation lead(s)508), at or near a first cranial nerve target in the patient. Block 1404can include coupling the electrode lead to signal generator circuitry ina housing such as implanted with the neuromodulation device at block1402. In an example, block 1404 can include implanting a lead withelectrodes that are disposed at or near one or more of the hypoglossalnerve 418, the glossopharyngeal nerve 412, the facial nerve 402, themandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve 428, the vagus nerve 416, orelsewhere in or near the head or neck of the patient. In an example, themethod 1400 can include, at block 1406, providing a second lead, such asan electrode lead (e.g., a second instance of a stimulation lead(s)508), at or near a second cranial nerve target in the patient. Block1406 can include coupling the electrode lead to signal generatorcircuitry in a housing such as implanted at block 1402. In an example,block 1406 can include implanting a lead with electrodes that aredisposed at or near one or more of the hypoglossal nerve 418, theglossopharyngeal nerve 412, the facial nerve 402, the mandibular branchof the trigeminal nerve 428, the vagus nerve 416, or elsewhere in ornear the head or neck of the patient.

At block 1408, the method 1400 can include applying a firstneuromodulation therapy to the first cranial nerve target, such as usingfirst electrical signals from the signal generator circuitry (e.g.,using the stimulation signal generator circuit 516) and using electrodesof the first electrode lead. In an example, the therapy can includeelectrical signals that are configured to treat a particular patientdisorder, such as can include one or more of OSA, heart failure,hypertension, or one or more other disorders discussed herein, amongothers.

At block 1410, the method 1400 can include applying a secondneuromodulation therapy to the second cranial nerve target, such asusing second electrical signals from the signal generator circuitry(e.g., using the stimulation signal generator circuit 516) and usingelectrodes of the second electrode lead, In an example, applying thefirst neuromodulation therapy at block 1408 and applying the secondneuromodulation therapy at block 1410 can comprise portions of a commontherapy that is configured to treat the same disorder or multipledisorders.

Some examples of implantable device housings for cervical implantationare generally represented herein as elongate, prismatic or cylindricalstructures. The housings can include enclosures that can be hermeticallysealed to protect electronics, circuitry, or other contents from theinternal environment of a human body. The housings can be sized andconfigured to occupy a minimal volume, for example, to enhance patientcomfort, or to reduce a risk of infection or complication duringimplantation, among other reasons.

In an example, a housing can be configured (e.g., sized, shaped,oriented) according to one or more characteristics of an implantationdestination. For example, a shape of a housing can optionally be basedon characteristics of a triangle in a cervical region of a patient. Forexample, differently shaped housings can be configured for use in thesubmental triangle 202 and in the submandibular triangle 206. In anexample, a housing for use in a triangle region can include a taperedstructure such that, when the housing is implanted, the housing contoursgenerally match or follow corresponding anatomical contours in thecervical region.

FIG. 15, for example, illustrates generally a tapered housing 1500 for adevice to be implanted in or near a triangular cervical region of apatient. The tapered housing 1500 can include a tapered structure, suchas a rectangular frustum. The illustrated example of the tapered housing1500 includes a base surface 1510 and an opposite top surface 1508. Thetapered housing 1500 can include tapered sidewalls 1502, such as caninclude trapezoidal portions, that can extend between the base surface1510 and the top surface 1508. In an example, a surface area of the topsurface 1508 can be less than a surface area of the base surface 1510.One or more headers can be coupled to or integrated with the taperedhousing 1500, including at or along any one or more of the sidesurfaces, base surface 1510, and the top surface 1508.

In an example, the tapered housing 1500 can be configured forimplantation inside of at least a portion of the anterior triangle 104of a patient. In an example, the base surface 1510 can be configured forimplantation at or adjacent to a portion of the mylohyoid muscle 114,such that a tapered portion of the housing structure extends away fromthe mylohyoid muscle 114.

In an example, the tapered housing 1500 can include elongated taperedsidewalls 1502, and a surface characteristic of at least one of thesidewalls can be sized or configured to correspond to, or fit partiallyor entirely within, contours of a triangle region of the neck, such aswithin the submandibular triangle 206, the submental triangle 202, orthe carotid triangle 302. For example, the first implantable device 608from the example of FIG. 6 can include a tapered housing with a baseportion provided adjacent to the posterior digastric muscle 208, andsidewalls that extend toward a region where the mandible 116 andanterior digastric muscle 204 are proximal or substantially adjacent,such that the device can occupy the submandibular triangle 206. In otherwords, the device can include a base portion that is sized andconfigured to correspond to or match a length or width characteristic ofthe posterior digastric muscle 208 (e.g., between the mandible 116 andthe hyoid bone 110). The device can include a sidewall that isconfigured to correspond to or match a length or width characteristic ofthe anterior digastric muscle 204 (e.g., between the hyoid bone 110 andthe mandible 116), or the device can include a sidewall that isconfigured to correspond to or match a length or width characteristic ofa lower edge portion of the mandible 116 (e.g., between the posteriordigastric muscle 208 and the anterior digastric muscle 204).

In an example, the third implantable device 902 from the example of FIG.9 can include a tapered housing with a base portion provided, forexample, adjacent to the omohyoid muscle 306, and sidewalls that extendtoward a region where the SCM 106 and the posterior digastric muscle 208are proximal or substantially adjacent. In other words, the device caninclude a base portion that is sized and configured to correspond to ormatch a length or width characteristic of the portion of the omohyoidmuscle 306 (e.g., a portion of the omohyoid muscle 306 that is insidethe carotid triangle 302). The device can include a sidewall that isconfigured to correspond to or match a length or width characteristic ofthe SCM 106 (e.g., a portion of the SCM 106 that is inside the carotidtriangle 302), or the device can include a sidewall that is configuredto correspond to or match a length or width characteristic of theposterior digastric muscle 208 (e.g., a portion of the posteriordigastric muscle 208 bounding the carotid triangle 302, such as betweenthe hyoid bone 110 and the SCM 106). Accordingly, the third implantabledevice 902 can be configured with a housing that occupies the carotidtriangle 302.

In other examples, the tapered housing 1500 can be configured forimplantation at or adjacent to various other muscles, tendons, bones, ortissues, such as at or adjacent to a portion of the digastric muscle112, the SCM 106, the omohyoid muscle 306, or other tissue. Such devicesor housings can be configured to occupy all or substantially all of aspace available in a triangle region in a neck, such as thesubmandibular triangle 206, the submental triangle 202, or the carotidtriangle 302, among others.

The example of FIG. 15 illustrates the tapered housing 1500 as includingvarious abrupt edges or vertices. One or more of the edges or vertices,or adjacent surfaces, can optionally be chamfered or rounded. In anexample, the tapered housing 1500 can include a base or top surface thatis at least partially rounded, such that the housing structure is atleast partially (or entirely) a conical frustum. In an example, the topsurface 1508 or the base surface 1510 can be non-planar, and the topsurface 1508 and the base surface 1510 can be at least partiallynon-parallel.

In an example, the tapered housing 1500 can include various headers onone or more of the surfaces or faces of the housing. In the example ofFIG. 15, the tapered housing 1500 includes a first header 1504 and asecond header 1506. The headers can be configured to couple circuitry,sensors, or other components inside of the tapered housing 1500 withleads or other devices outside of the tapered housing 1500. In theexample of FIG. 15, the first header 1504 and the second header 1506 areprovided on adjacent side surfaces of the housing; other positions forthe headers can similarly be used. In an example, a position of one ormore of the headers can be influenced or determined by an implantationlocation or a nerve target location.

FIG. 16 illustrates generally an example of a cylindrical housing 1600for a device to be implanted in or near a triangular cervical region ofa patient. The cylindrical housing 1600 can include a capsule-shapedstructure, such as including a cylinder that extends along alongitudinal axis and includes rounded ends or caps. The cylindricalhousing 1600 can enclose signal generator circuitry 1606 and can havemultiple headers, such as a first header 1602 and a second header 1604,for interfacing the signal generator circuitry 1606 with various leads.The first header 1602 and the second header 1604 can be disposed atopposite ends of the device or multiple headers can be provided on oneend.

In an example, the cylindrical housing 1600 can be configured forimplantation along a portion of an anatomic target. For example, thecylindrical housing 1600 can be configured to be coupled to a tissuetarget in a triangular region. For example, the cylindrical housing 1600can be configured to be coupled to the anterior digastric muscle 204, orto the posterior digastric muscle 208, or to the SCM 106. In an example,the cylindrical housing 1600 can be configured to be coupled to the SCM106 inside of the carotid triangle 302, and the cylindrical housing 1600can be coupled to a lead that extends outside of the carotid triangle302, such as similarly described above in the example of FIG. 9.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine 1700 within whichinstructions 1708 (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet,an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine 1700 toperform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may beexecuted. The machine 1700 can optionally comprise the implantablesystem 502, the external system 520, or components or portions thereof,or components or devices that can be coupled to at least one of theimplantable system 502 and the external system 520.

In an example, the instructions 1708 may cause the machine 1700 toexecute any one or more of the methods, controls, therapy algorithms,signal generation routines, or other processes described herein. Theinstructions 1708 transform the general, non-programmed machine 1700into a particular machine 1700 programmed to carry out the described andillustrated functions in the manner described. The machine 1700 mayoperate as a standalone device or may be coupled (e.g., networked) toother machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 1700 may operatein the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in aserver-client network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine 1700 cancomprise, but is not limited to, various systems or devices that cancommunicate with the implantable system 502 or the external system 520,such as can include a server computer, a client computer, a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, aset-top box (STB), a PDA, an entertainment media system, a cellulartelephone, a smart phone, a mobile device, a wearable device (e.g., asmart watch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance), other smartdevices, a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a networkbridge, or any machine capable of executing the instructions 1708,sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by themachine 1700. Further, while only a single machine 1700 is illustrated,the term “machine” shall also be taken to include a collection ofmachines that individually or jointly execute the instructions 1708 toperform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The machine 1700 may include processors 1702, memory 1704, and I/Ocomponents 1742, which may be configured to communicate with each othervia a bus 1744. In an example embodiment, the processors 1702 (e.g., aCentral Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced instruction Set Computing(RISC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor,a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), anASIC, a Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), another processor, orany suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, a processor1706 and a processor 1710 that execute the instructions 1708. The term“processor” is intended to optionally include multi-core processors thatmay comprise two or more independent processors (sometimes referred toas “cores”) that may execute instructions contemporaneously. AlthoughFIG. 17 shows multiple processors 1702, the machine 1700 may include asingle processor with a single core, a single processor with multiplecores (e.g., a multi-core processor), multiple processors with a singlecore, multiple processors with multiples cores, or any combinationthereof.

The memory 1704 includes a main memory 1712, a static memory 1714, and astorage unit 1716, both accessible to the processors 1702 via the bus1744. The main memory 1704, the static memory 1714, and storage unit1716 store the instructions 1708 embodying any one or more of themethodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 1708 mayalso reside, completely or partially, within the main memory 1712,within the static memory 1714, within a machine-readable medium 1718within the storage unit 1716, within at least one of the processors 1702(e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or any suitable combinationthereof, during execution thereof by the machine 1700.

The I/O components 1742 may include a variety of components to receiveinput, provide output, produce output, transmit information, exchangeinformation, capture measurements, and so on. The specific I/Ocomponents 1742 that are included in a particular machine will depend onthe type of machine. For example, portable machines such as deviceprogrammers or mobile phones may include a touch input device or othersuch input mechanisms, while a headless server machine will likely notinclude such a touch input device. It will be appreciated that the I/Ocomponents 1742 may include other components that are not shown in FIG.17. In various example embodiments, the I/O components 1742 may includeoutput components 1728 and input components 1730. The output components1728 may include visual components (e.g., a display such as a plasmadisplay panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)),acoustic components (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., avibratory motor, resistance mechanisms), other signal generators, and soforth. The input components 1730 may include alphanumeric inputcomponents (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen configured to receivealphanumeric input, a photo-optical keyboard, or other alphanumericinput components), point-based input components (e.g., a mouse, atouchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or another pointinginstrument), tactile input components (e.g., a physical button, a touchscreen that provides location and/or force of touches or touch gestures,or other tactile input components), audio input components (e.g., amicrophone), physiologic sensor components, and the like.

In further example embodiments, the I/O components 1742 may includebiometric components 1732, motion components 1734, environmentalcomponents 1736, or position components 1738, among others. For example,the biometric components 1732 can include components to detectexpressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, vocalexpressions, body gestures, or eye tracking), measure biosignals (e.g.,blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, perspiration, or brainwaves), identify a person (e.g., voice identification, retinalidentification, facial identification, fingerprint identification, orelectroencephalogram-based identification), and the like. The motioncomponents 1734 can include an acceleration sensor (e.g., anaccelerometer), gravitation sensor components, rotation sensorcomponents (e.g., a gyroscope), or similar. The environmental components1736 can include, for example, illumination sensor components (e.g.,photometer), temperature sensor components (e.g., one or morethermometers that detect ambient temperature), humidity sensorcomponents, pressure sensor components (e.g., barometer), acousticsensor components (e.g., one or more microphones that detect backgroundnoise), proximity sensor components (e.g., infrared sensors that detectnearby objects), gas sensors (e.g., gas detection sensors to detectionconcentrations of hazardous gases for safety or to measure pollutants inthe atmosphere), or other components that may provide indications,measurements, or signals corresponding to a surrounding physicalenvironment. The position components 1738 can include location sensorcomponents (e.g., a GPS receiver component), altitude sensor components(e.g., altimeters or barometers that detect air pressure from whichaltitude may be derived), orientation sensor components (e.g.,magnetometers), and the like.

Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies.The I/O components 1742 further include communication components 1740operable to couple the machine 1700 to a network 1720 or other devices1722 via a coupling 1724 and a coupling 1726, respectively. For example,the communication components 1740 may include a network interfacecomponent or another suitable device to interface with the network 1720.In further examples, the communication components 1740 may include wiredcommunication components, wireless communication components, cellularcommunication components, Near Field Communication (NFC) components,Bluetooth components, or Wi-Fi components, among others. The devices1722 may be another machine or any of a wide variety of peripheraldevices such as can include other implantable or external devices.

The various memories (e.g., memory 1704, main memory 1712, static memory1714, and/or memory of the processors 1702) and/or storage unit 1716 canstore one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g.,software) embodying or used by any one or more of the methodologies orfunctions described herein. These instructions (e.g., the instructions1708), when executed by processors 1702, cause various operations toimplement the disclosed embodiments, including various neuromodulationor neurostimulation therapies or functions supportive thereof.

The following Aspects provide a non-limiting overview of theneuromodulation systems, methods, and devices discussed herein.

Aspect 1 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of the following Aspects, to include oruse subject matter (such as an apparatus, a method, a means forperforming acts, or a machine readable medium including instructionsthat, when performed by the machine, that can cause the machine toperform acts), such as can include or use an implantable system forneuromodulation of cranial nerves, the system comprising a first housingconfigured for implantation in an anterior cervical region of a patient,at or under a mandible of the patient, a first electrode lead coupled tothe first housing, the first electrode lead comprising at least oneelectrode configured to be disposed at or near a first cranial nervetarget in the patient, and a signal generator circuit provided in thefirst housing and configured to generate electrical neuromodulationsignals for delivery to the cranial nerve target using the at least oneelectrode of the first electrode lead. The neuromodulation signals canbe configured to treat a breathing disorder or a sleep disorder of thepatient, among other disorders, such as can be treated using aneuromodulation therapy applied to a cranial nerve or other nerve.

Aspect 2 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 1, to optionally include the neuromodulationsignals generated by the signal generator circuit configured to treatobstructive sleep apnea.

Aspect 3 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 2, to optionally include the first cranialnerve target comprising a main body of a hypoglossal nerve of thepatient or a branch of the hypoglossal nerve of the patient.

Aspect 4 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 3, to optionally include or use a secondelectrode lead coupled to the first housing, the second electrode leadcomprising at least one electrode configured to be disposed at or near asecond cranial nerve target in the patient, and the signal generatorcircuit can be configured to generate respective neuromodulation signalsfor delivery to the first and second cranial nerve targets usingelectrodes on the first and second electrode leads to treat obstructivesleep apnea or one or more other diseases or disorders.

Aspect 5 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 4, to optionally include the second cranialnerve target comprising a branch of a trigeminal nerve of the patient.

Aspect 6 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 4 or 5, tooptionally include the second cranial nerve target comprising a branchof a facial nerve of the patient.

Aspect 7 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 4 through 6 tooptionally include the second cranial nerve target comprising a ganglionor a branch of a glossopharyngeal nerve of the patient.

Aspect 8 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 4 through 7 tooptionally include the signal generator circuit configured to providethe neuromodulation signals concurrently to the electrodes of the firstand second electrode leads.

Aspect 9 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 8, to optionally include or use anelectrostimulation vector such as can be produced in response to a firstone of the neuromodulation signals. The vector can be configured tomodify a different electrostimulation vector such as can be produced inresponse to a second one of the neuromodulation signals.

Aspect 10 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 4 through 9 tooptionally include or use the signal generator circuit configured toprovide the neuromodulation signals to respective electrodes of thefirst and second electrode leads in a time-multiplexed manner.

Aspect 11 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 10, to optionally include or use the signalgenerator circuit configured to provide the neuromodulation signals aselectrical signal pulses that are at least partially overlapping intime.

Aspect 12 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 11 tooptionally include the first cranial nerve target comprising a neuralpathway that influences activity of one or more of tongue muscles,mylohyoid muscles, stylohyoid muscles, digastric muscles, orstylopharyngeus muscles of the patient. In the example of Aspect 12, theelectrical neuromodulation signals can be configured to treatobstructive sleep apnea or another disorder for the patient.

Aspect 13 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 12 tooptionally include the first cranial nerve target in the patientcomprising an anterior or posterior branch of a hypoglossal nerve of thepatient. In Aspect 13, the first electrode can be configured to beimplanted at or near the anterior or posterior branch of the hypoglossalnerve of the patient.

Aspect 14 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 13 tooptionally include or use first and second electrodes disposed atdifferent locations along a length of the first electrode lead. In theexample of Aspect 14, the first cranial nerve target in the patient caninclude anterior and/or posterior branches of a hypoglossal nerve of thepatient, and the first and second electrodes can be configured toprovide neuromodulation signals to the anterior and/or posteriorbranches of the hypoglossal nerve.

Aspect 15 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 14 tooptionally include or use a second electrode lead coupled to the firsthousing, and the second electrode lead can include at least oneelectrode configured to be disposed at or near a second cranial nervetarget in the patient. In Aspect 15, the first and second cranial nervetargets can be on opposite sides of a sagittal midline of the patient.

Aspect 16 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 15, to optionally include or use the firsthousing comprising first and different second hermetic enclosures thatare electrically coupled.

Aspect 17 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 16, to optionally include or use the first andsecond electrode leads coupled to the first and different secondhermetic enclosures, respectively.

Aspect 18 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 16 or 17 tooptionally include or use the first hermetic enclosure comprising apower storage device, and the second hermetic enclosure comprising thesignal generator, and the first and second electrode leads coupled tothe second hermetic enclosure.

Aspect 19 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 16 through 18 tooptionally include or use the first and different second hermeticenclosures implanted on opposite sides of a sagittal midline of thepatient.

Aspect 20 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 16 through 19 tooptionally include or use the first and second hermetic enclosuresconfigured to be implanted in respective different anterior triangleregions.

Aspect 21 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 20, to optionally include the first hermeticenclosure implanted in a submandibular triangle region of the patient,and the second hermetic enclosure implanted in a muscular triangleregion of the patient. In the example of Aspect 21, the submandibulartriangle region can.

be bounded by a body of a mandible and by anterior and posteriorportions of a digastric muscle of the patient, and the muscular triangleregion of the patient can be bounded by a hyoid bone, a sagittalmidline, an omohyoid muscle, and an inferior portion of ansternocleidomastoid muscle of the patient.

Aspect 22 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 20 or 21 tooptionally include or use the first hermetic enclosure configured to beimplanted in a carotid triangle region and the second hermetic enclosurecan be configured to be implanted in one of a submandibular triangleregion and a submental triangle region of the patient.

Aspect 23 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 22 tooptionally include or use a wireless communication coil coupled to apower management circuit in the first housing, and the wirelesscommunication coil can be configured to be disposed in the anteriorcervical region of the patient or outside of the anterior cervicalregion of the patient.

Aspect 24 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 22 tooptionally include or use a wireless communication coil coupled to apower management circuit in the first housing, and the wirelesscommunication coil can be configured to be disposed on a mandible of thepatient.

Aspect 25 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 through 22 tooptionally include or use the first housing and a wireless communicationcoil, such as with the coil coupled to circuitry inside the firsthousing, and configured to be implanted in respective different anteriortriangle regions of the patient.

Aspect 26 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 25, to optionally include or use a supportmember for the wireless communication coil, and the support member canbe configured to be coupled to anterior and posterior portions of adigastric muscle of the patient.

Aspect 27 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 25 or 26 tooptionally include or use a support member for the wirelesscommunication coil, and the support member can be configured to becoupled to a mylohyoid muscle of the patient.

Aspect 28 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of the other Aspects herein to includeor use subject matter (such as an apparatus, a method, a means forperforming acts, or a machine readable medium including instructionsthat, when performed by the machine, that can cause the machine toperform acts), such as can include or use an implantable neuromodulationsystem comprising an elongate first housing configured for implantationin an anterior cervical region of a patient, and a first electrode leadcoupled to the first housing and configured to be disposed in asubmandibular region. In

Aspect 28, at least one electrode on the first electrode lead can beconfigured to be disposed at or near a first branch of a hypoglossalnerve of the patient, and electrostimulation generation and controlcircuitry disposed in the first housing can be configured to provideelectrostimulation signals to the patient using the first electrodelead. The electrostimulation signals can be configured to treat a sleepdisorder or breathing disorder of the patient, among other disorders.

Aspect 29 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 28, to optionally include or use the firsthousing configured for implantation in a submental triangle of theanterior cervical region of the patient.

Aspect 30 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 29, to optionally include or use a secondelectrode lead coupled to the first housing and configured to bedisposed in the submandibular region. In Aspect 30, at least oneelectrode on the second electrode lead can be configured to be disposedat or near a second branch of the hypoglossal nerve of the patient.

Aspect 31 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 30, to optionally include or use electrodes onthe first and second electrode leads configured to be disposed at ornear different positions of anterior and/or posterior branches of thehypoglossal nerve.

Aspect 32 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 30 or 31 tooptionally include or use electrodes on the first and second electrodeleads configured to be disposed on respective different sides of asagittal midline of the patient, and the electrostimulation generationand control circuitry can be configured to provide a bilateralelectrostimulation therapy to the branches of the hypoglossal nerves.

Aspect 33 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 28 through 32 tooptionally include or use the first housing comprising a cylindricalhousing structure having a longitudinal axis, and the first housing canbe configured for implantation at or adjacent to a mandible of thepatient.

Aspect 34 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 28 through 33 tooptionally include or use the first housing comprising a rectangularfrustum structure with a base surface configured to be orientedposteriorly in the submandibular region, and a top surface configured tobe oriented anteriorly in the submandibular region, and an area of thebase surface can exceed an area of the top surface.

Aspect 35 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 28 through 33 tooptionally include or use the first housing comprising sidewalls thatare contoured to correspond to contours of an anatomic triangle in thesubmandibular region.

Aspect 36 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 28 through 35 tooptionally include or use an anchor configured to physically andmechanically couple a base portion of the first housing to a mandible.

Aspect 37 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 28 through 33 tooptionally include or use the first housing comprising a truncated prismstructure with a base portion that can be configured to be orientedadjacent to at least one of a digastric muscle surface, a mylohyoidmuscle surface, or a mandible of the patient.

Aspect 38 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 37, to optionally include or use an anchorconfigured to couple the first housing to a hyoid bone of the patient.

Aspect 39 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 37, to optionally include or use an anchor tocouple the first housing to at least one of an omohyoid muscle, adigastric muscle, or a digastric tendon of the patient.

Aspect 40 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 28 through 39 tooptionally include the first housing configured for implantation suchthat a longitudinal axis of the housing can be provided substantiallyparallel to a sternocleidomastoid muscle of the patient.

Aspect 41 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 28 through 40 tooptionally include or use a second housing configured for implantationin the anterior cervical region of the patient. The second housing canbe electrically coupled to at least one of the first housing and thefirst electrode lead.

Aspect 42 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 41, to optionally include the first and secondhousings configured for implantation on respective different sides of asagittal midline of the patient.

Aspect 43 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of the other Aspects herein to includeor use subject matter (such as an apparatus, a method, a means forperforming acts, or a machine readable medium including instructionsthat, when performed by the machine, that can cause the machine toperform acts), such as can include or use a method for treating a sleepdisorder or a breathing disorder of a patient, the method comprisingproviding an implantable neuromodulation device in an anterior cervicalregion of a patient, providing a first electrode lead, coupled to signalgenerator circuitry in the device, at or near a first cranial nervetarget in the patient, and applying a first neuromodulation signal tothe first cranial nerve target using first electrical signals from thesignal generator circuitry and using electrodes of the first electrodelead. In Aspect 43, the first electrical signals can be configured totreat the sleep disorder or breathing disorder of the patient.

Aspect 44 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 43, to optionally include applying the firstneuromodulation signal to a hypoglossal nerve of the patient to treatobstructive sleep apnea.

Aspect 45 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 43 or 44 tooptionally include applying a neuromodulation therapy to one or more ofa hypoglossal nerve, a trigeminal nerve, a vagus nerve, aglossopharyngeal nerve, and a facial nerve of the patient.

Aspect 46 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 43 through 45 tooptionally include coupling the housing and the electrode lead to tissuein the anterior cervical region of the patient.

Aspect 47 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 46, to optionally include coupling the housingto a digastric muscle or to a digastric tendon inside the patient body.

Aspect 48 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 46 or 47 tooptionally include coupling the housing to a mylohyoid muscle of thepatient.

Aspect 49 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 43 through 48 tooptionally include providing a second electrode lead, coupled to thesignal generator circuitry in the device housing, at or near a secondcranial nerve target in the patient, and applying a secondneuromodulation signal to the second cranial nerve target using secondelectrical signals from the signal generator circuitry and usingelectrodes of the second electrode lead. In

Aspect 49, the second electrical signals can be configured to treat oneor more of heart failure, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation.

Aspect 50 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 49, to optionally include applying the firstneuromodulation signal to a hypoglossal nerve, and applying the secondneuromodulation signal to at least one of a vagus nerve, a facial nerve,and a glossopharyngeal nerve.

Aspect 51 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 49 or 50 tooptionally include applying the first and second neuromodulation signalsconcurrently to the first and second cranial nerve targets.

Aspect 52 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 49 through 51 tooptionally include applying the neuromodulation signals in atime-multiplexed manner to the first and second cranial nerve targets.

Aspect 53 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 49 through 52 tooptionally include applying respective pulse signals to the targets, andthe pulses can be at least partially overlapping in time.

Aspect 54 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of the other Aspects herein to includeor use subject matter (such as an apparatus, a method, a means forperforming acts, or a machine readable medium including instructionsthat, when performed by the machine, that can cause the machine toperform acts), such as can include or use an implantable neuromodulationsystem comprising a first housing disposed in a first cervical triangleregion of a patient, a second housing disposed in a different secondcervical triangle region of the patient, and an interface coupling firstcircuitry in the first housing and second circuitry in the secondhousing. In Aspect 54, the first circuitry can include signal generatorcircuitry configured to generate neuromodulation signals to treat abreathing disorder or a sleep disorder of the patient, among otherdisorders, and the second circuitry can include a power storage device.

Aspect 55 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of Aspect 54, to optionally include the first and secondcervical triangle regions being separated by a portion of a digastricmuscle of the patient.

Aspect 56 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 54 or 55 tooptionally include or use circuitry configured to wirelessly receive apower signal from a source external to a body of the patient.

Aspect 57 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 54 through 56 tooptionally include the first housing configured to be implanted in oneof a submandibular triangle and a submental triangle of the patient, andthe second housing configured to be implanted in the other one of thesubmandibular triangle and the submental triangle of the patient, andthe first and second housings can be differently sized and shaped.

Aspect 58 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 54 through 57 tooptionally include the second housing being volumetrically larger thanthe first housing,

Aspect 59 can include or use, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 54 through 58 tooptionally include or use one or more physiologic status sensorsdisposed in or coupled to one of the first and second housings. InAspect 59, the one or more physiologic status sensors can be configuredto measure information about a respiration, heart rate, blood pressure,sympathetic tone, parasympathetic tone, posture, activity level, bodyimpedance, or electric activity of the patient. In Aspect 59, the signalgenerator circuitry can be configured to generate the neuromodulationsignals to treat obstructive sleep apnea or other disorder based on theinformation from the physiologic status sensor.

Each of these non-limiting Aspects can stand on its own, or can becombined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of theother Aspects and examples discussed herein.

The above description includes references to the accompanying drawings,which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by wayof illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can bepracticed. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.”Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown ordescribed. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples inwhich only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, thepresent inventors also contemplate examples using any combination orpermutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspectsthereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or moreaspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

Method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implementedat least in part, such as using the implantable system 502, the externalsystem 520, the machine 1700, or using the other systems, devices, orcomponents discussed herein. Some examples can include acomputer-readable medium or machine-readable medium encoded withinstructions operable to configure an electronic device to performmethods, such as neuromodulation therapy control methods, as describedin the above examples, such as to treat one or more diseases ordisorders. In an example, the instructions can include instructions toreceive sensor data from one or more physiologic sensors and, based onthe sensor data, titrate a therapy. An implementation of such methodscan include code, such as microcode, assembly language code, ahigher-level language code, or the like. Such code can include computerreadable instructions for performing various methods. The code may formportions of computer program products. Further, in an example, the codecan be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, ornon-volatile tangible computer-readable media, such as during executionor at other times. Examples of these tangible computer-readable mediacan include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magneticdisks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital videodisks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random accessmemories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to allowthe reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure.It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used tointerpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in theabove Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together tostreamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intendingthat an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather,inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of aparticular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments,with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it iscontemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other invarious combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention shouldbe determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1-42. (canceled)
 43. A method for treating a sleep disorder or abreathing disorder of a patient, the method comprising: providing animplantable neuromodulation device in an anterior cervical region of apatient; providing a first electrode lead, coupled to signal generatorcircuitry in the device, at or near a first cranial nerve target in thepatient; coupling a housing of the device and the electrode lead totissue in the anterior cervical region of the patient; and applying afirst neuromodulation signal to the first cranial nerve target usingfirst electrical signals from the signal generator circuitry and usingelectrodes of the first electrode lead, wherein the first electricalsignals are configured to treat the sleep disorder or breathing disorderof the patient.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the applying thefirst neuromodulation signal to the first cranial nerve target includesapplying the first neuromodulation signal to a hypoglossal nerve of thepatient to treat obstructive sleep apnea.
 45. The method of claim 43,wherein the first cranial nerve target comprises one or more of ahypoglossal nerve, a trigeminal nerve, a vagus nerve, a glossopharyngealnerve, and a facial nerve of the patient.
 46. (canceled)
 47. The methodof claim 43, wherein coupling the housing to tissue inside the patientbody comprises coupling the housing to a digastric muscle or to adigastric tendon inside the patient body.
 48. The method of claim 43,wherein coupling the housing to tissue inside the patient body comprisescoupling the housing to a mylohyoid muscle of the patient.
 49. Themethod of claim 43, further comprising: providing a second electrodelead, coupled to the signal generator circuitry in the device housing,at or near a second cranial nerve target in the patient; and applying asecond neuromodulation signal to the second cranial nerve target usingsecond electrical signals from the signal generator circuitry and usingelectrodes of the second electrode lead, wherein the second electricalsignals are configured to treat one or more of heart failure,hypertension, and atrial fibrillation.
 50. The method of claim 49,wherein the first cranial nerve target comprises a hypoglossal nerve,and wherein the second cranial nerve target comprises one or more of avagus nerve, a facial nerve, and a glossopharyngeal nerve.
 51. Themethod of claim 49, wherein applying the first and secondneuromodulation signals includes applying the signals concurrently tothe first and second cranial nerve targets.
 52. The method of claim 49,wherein applying the first and second neuromodulation signals includesapplying the signals in a time-multiplexed manner to the first andsecond cranial nerve targets.
 53. The method of claim 49, whereinapplying the first and second neuromodulation signals includes applyingrespective pulse signals to the targets, wherein the pulses are at leastpartially overlapping in time. 54-59. (canceled)